Feeding layer feed does not MAKE hens lay, or make them lay more eggs. Therefore, NOT feeding layer feed does not prevent them from laying. What layer feed does, is provides calcium, which laying hens need. It usually only contains 16% protein, which is fairly low. The calcium is not good for non-layers like males, molting birds, or birds too young or too old to lay. Therefore, a lot of us provide an all-flock formula, which typically contains 20% protein, and we supply calcium in the form of crushed oyster shells in a separate vessel. Laying hens help themselves and non-layers ignore it.